Soldier in court over Donegal pipe bomb

Mark Cassidy, with an address at Grianan Vale, Ballyderowen, Burnfoot, faces two charges of possessing explosives at the same address on Monday 19 February, namely an explosive substance and 87 twelve gauge shotgun cartridges.Cassidy, in his late 20s, appeared at Letterkenny District Court amid tight security following his arrest on Tuesday.He was detained after the Irish army's bomb squad was called out to an apartment above a petrol station in the area in which they found a pipe bomb.A Detective Garda told the court when detained, he had put the two charges to him but the defendant did not reply.Opposing bail, Garda Inspector Michael Harrison highlighted the seriousness of the offences and also that Cassidy now had no permanent address.Barrister for Cassidy, Peter Nolan, told the court he was not in a position to apply for bail as his rented flat was now a crime scene.He added the private is on disability allowance due to an illness he was suffering from.Judge Paul Kelly remanded Cassidy into custody until the next sitting on Monday.Mr Nolan added the defendant would hope to be in a position to apply for bail then.A female soldier in her 30s, who was also arrested on Tuesday, was released without charge.Two people, arrested by gardaí following the discovery of a pipe bomb in Donegal, are thought to be members of the Irish Army.